Dentist-Approved: How Waterpik Cleans Braces 3x Better

If you wear braces, you already know how hard it is to keep your teeth and gums clean. Food gets trapped, plaque builds up around brackets and under wires, and no matter how carefully you brush, something always seems to get missed.

The good news is that clinical research has a clear answer: the Waterpik® Water Flosser is proven to be over 3 times more effective than string floss and over 5 times more effective than brushing alone for people with braces.

Here's what you need to know.

Why Braces Make Oral Hygiene So Much Harder

Braces create dozens of new hiding spots for bacteria and food debris. Brackets sit directly against your teeth, and the archwire runs across all of them — making it nearly impossible for a toothbrush alone to reach every surface.

Plaque is the real enemy. As we explain in our guide on preventing dental disease, bacteria collect on tooth surfaces and below the gumline in the form of a sticky film. With braces in the way, that plaque has even more places to hide and grow — which can lead to:

White spot lesions (permanent marks on enamel)
Cavities forming around brackets
Swollen or bleeding gums (gingivitis)
Bad breath

String floss can help, but threading it under the archwire for every single tooth is time-consuming and difficult — especially for younger patients. Most people simply give up, or don't floss at all.

What "3x Better" Actually Means

An independent clinical study (Sharma et al., American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2008) enrolled 105 adolescents with fixed braces and compared three groups: Water Flosser + brushing, string floss + brushing, and brushing alone. The results showed that the Water Flosser was:

Over 3 times more effective than string floss at removing plaque around braces
Over 5 times more effective than brushing alone for plaque reduction
26% better than string floss at reducing gum bleeding
53% better than brushing alone at reducing gum bleeding

The reason comes down to how the technology works. A high-pressure stream of water can reach around brackets, under wires, and deep below the gumline. It flushes out bacteria and food debris instead of just pushing it around.

How to Use Your Waterpik® Water Flosser with Braces

Getting started is straightforward. Follow these steps for the best results every time:

Use the Orthodontic Tip. This tip is specially designed for braces. The brush bristles help dislodge debris from around brackets as the water jet flushes them away. Replace your tip every 3–6 months.
Fill the reservoir with warm water. Warm water is more comfortable for gum tissue. You can also add a small amount of mouthwash for extra freshness.
Start on the lowest pressure setting. If you're new to water flossing, begin on low and gradually increase as your gums adjust — usually within 1–2 weeks.
Aim at a 90-degree angle to your teeth. Pause briefly between each tooth and direct the tip just below the gumline and around each bracket.
Work systematically. Start at the back of your mouth and work forward, treating both the front and back surfaces of every tooth. The full routine takes about 1 minute.
Rinse and brush after. Water flossing first loosens debris; follow up with brushing to remove what's left on tooth surfaces.

How Often Should You Water Floss with Braces?

Once a day is the minimum — after meals is even better. Because food gets trapped so easily in braces, many orthodontists recommend water flossing after every meal if possible. At minimum, make it part of your nightly routine before bed.

Consistency is what matters most. A quick daily session is far more effective than a thorough session once a week. The more regularly you remove plaque, the less chance bacteria have to cause damage.

Recognized by the American Dental Association

The Waterpik® Water Flosser is the first and only powered interdental product to earn the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance — awarded for proven safety and efficacy in removing plaque along the gumline and between teeth, and for helping to prevent and reduce gingivitis.

For orthodontic patients, gum health during treatment matters more than most people realize. Poor oral hygiene leads to inflamed gums, and inflamed gums can slow tooth movement or even require treatment to be paused. Keeping gums clean and healthy throughout your treatment is one of the simplest things you can do to stay on track.

The Bottom Line

Braces are an investment in your smile. Protecting that investment means keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout the entire treatment process. The Waterpik® Water Flosser makes that easier, faster, and clinically proven to work better than string floss alone.

Whether you're just starting orthodontic treatment or you've been in braces for a while, it's never too late to upgrade your routine.

Ready to try it? Explore our full range of Water Flossers and find the model that's right for you.